The Marketing and Communications Department at GSWO has created a
patch Girl Scouts across western Ohio can now earn: the Media Star Patch!
Girls receive the patch when their story is featured in the media
or by GSWO. This includes social media channels, the GSWO Blog, the GSWO
website, or local media. Stories can be about one independent Girl
Scout, or it can be about an entire troop.
Simply submitting a story does not automatically qualify someone
for the Media Star Patch; it must be featured.
How do I submit my story?
To submit your story,
visit gswo.org/shareyourstory!
What increases my odds of having my story featured?
There are a lot of things that can increase your chances! Here
are some tips:
- Include photos or videos with your submission (but make sure
you have the media releases for any girls in the photos or
videos—that responsibility is with the person who submits, not the
MarComm department). Photos or videos with girls in uniform are
especially encouraged!
- Showcase what they were doing, where
and when they were doing it, and why the girls chose to do
this.
- Please include your troop number, community, and age
level.
- Explain how your girl or girls were a G.I.R.L.s
(Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)™.
- Take Action
projects and other events in the community do especially well.
If you’re still not quite sure, we suggest looking at other
stories that have been featured in the past!
Who receives the patch?
The Media Star Patch is
only for girls; none are given to adults.
If it is an entire troop who participated in the activity, each
girl in the troop gets a patch (even if she isn’t in the photo that
is featured!). If it is a story about one or a few Girl Scouts that
did an activity outside of a troop, only the girls involved receive
a patch.
If we feature the story of something a Girl Scout did, but she is
now an adult member, she does not receive a patch.
I submitted my photo for the Program Events Guide. Do I get
a patch?
To receive the Media Star Patch, you must
have your story featured, not simply your photo. You’re welcome to
submit the same photo(s) in the Share Your Story form, but make sure
to include a captivating story with it!
Can I receive the patch more than once?
Yes! There
is a new patch each year. Only one patch will be given out per
calendar year (2017, 2018, 2019, etc.; not per membership year), but
continue submitting stories each year and you may get more!
My story was featured on the media. Why didn’t I get a
patch?
The Marketing and Communications Department is
always looking for stories of our girls featured in the media, but
we don’t always catch every story! If you were contacted by the
media and don’t think the Marketing and Communications department
was aware of it, simply send us an email with the news story!
I was featured in a press release. Do I get a patch?
To receive the patch, the press release with your story would
need to be picked up by the media and be featured.
Can I just buy the patch?
No, the patch is only
available as a thank-you gift from the Marketing and Communications department.